Steve Tolliver

Habitat: Thanks for joining us, Steve. Let's get going. You are an accomplished player. How long have you been playing the game?

Steve: 21 years. I started in my teens.

Habitat: Tell me where and how it all began.

Steve: I played HS football in Englewood, CA and was supposed to go to UNLV on a scholarship. I got injured and started playing tennis as a form of rehab.

Habitat: And the rest is history.

Steve: That's right (laughs).

Habitat: You played on the satellites for 18 months when you were younger. After a long road of competition why do you still play the game?

Steve: I work as an entertainment event producer. It is the best way to unwind and regain a small piece of my sanity.

Habitat: I have had the privilege of playing with and against you. Your strokes and style are definitely old school mixed with modern power. Tell me about that.

Steve: Classic style with modern flair. I use a continental grip both sides but added power as the game evolved.

Habitat: What is the strongest part of your game?

Steve: (Blank look) Serve and volley. Being a tall lefty opens up a few extra options for free points for my serve. The returns that come back usually set up well for my volley.

Habitat: You are an accomplished doubles player. What is the biggest mistake recreational players make from the matches you watch?

Steve: Over-hitting. Club players would rather try to crush the ball than develop consistency and touch.

Habitat: In your opinion, what improvement does Las Vegas recreational tennis need?

Steve: Promotion of the sport. More people should be playing. Juniors should be competing more and their parents should take up the sport as well.

Habitat: Thanks, Steve.